School has started here and I guess in most places so today we are shopping for school supplies!! Don't you just love those long lists of what your child needs to get through the school year? Red folder for this class, blue folder for that one. What always got me in the lower grades was the construction paper -- we always got assigned purple or something that could not be found without running from store to store. "But Mom, I HAVE to bring it tomorrow -- I won't get a gold star if I don't!" Oh, those were the days.

First up -- pencils! Can't get along without pencils. These are very cool and will certainly help when it comes to test time!! (Don't tell the teacher!!) Know It All No. 2 Pencil Set by Paper Pastries.

How about reusable cloth napkins to go in the lunchbox? So much better than buying paper ones, and about a million time better than those skimpy napkins in the black dispensers! The design on these is so cute, plus she has more designs as well. Teach 'em early!! Back to School Reusable Cloth Napkins for Children by Cranberry.

Let the little ones in on the act too! This cute backpack/snack bags/napkins set is perfect for the preschool crowd. And check out the Dick and Jane fabric. I read about Alice and Jerry and their dog Jip myself but they all said the same thing! Back to School Preschool Set by Freya's Favorite Things.

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

How clever is this?!! Cute for the driver, or anyone who rides the school bus! There are lots of designs to choose from - sports, professions, animals, food -- cute stuff! School Bus Driver Watch by Whimsical Watches.

Well, all I can say is, if my kids were still little, I'd have a fun time school shopping on Etsy!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

This morning I just happened to glance out the back door, and there was a FOX!! So entirely cute.... I quickly went to grab my camera and took a pic through the glass door.

(and only got his tail)

So I got brave and slooowly turned the lock. CLICK! Mr. Fox snapped his head up. (OK, well it could be Ms. Fox but for now it'll be Mr.!) Turned the door handle -- slight noise -- he looked again. Very slowly I continued to open the door as quietly as possible, and amazingly, he didn't dart off. Stuck my camera out the door, zoomed, and took as many pics as I could.

Actually, he is pretty close in these pics -- probably about 20 feet away. But I wasn't about to venture out onto the patio!

Bound to be something yummy here...
.

Wary...

He gave me some great shots, one time looking straight at me -- definite eye contact! He wasn't skittish at all, really. And he's a few feet closer to me in this pic!

Hmmm, wonder what's on that side of the yard...

Think I'll have a little look-see.

Oh, yum!

He found a morsel of something and then licked his chops!

Must have been a mighty good morsel!

And, with a few more looks my way -- he was gone. Zipped between the shed and the fence. (No, that's not the shed or the fence...it's an old beat up board I sometimes use when I take photos for my vintage shop! Just so you know.)

I hope he didn't go under the shed -- I don't think I'd like a fox den there. More likely he jumped the fence or found a way under it -- there's a small wooded area behind us.

Or maybe he's watching from one of the trees. Gray fox do climb, you know.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

It's also Mail Order Catalog Day, but I didn't think that would be too much fun to write about...

So. Cupcakes. What can we say but YUM!! Cupcakes are the best -- little mini cakes with lots of sugary icing and something cool on top, like a cherry or a chocolate square or how about kiwi... Even a birthday candle.

So let's see what really super-d-duper cupcakes we can find -- let's go for the funny, beautiful or totally different!

This has got to be the cutest cupcake purse I have ever seen!! Scrumptious! What little girl wouldn't love this to put all her pretties in -- I know a certain 4 year old in my life who would go crazy for it!! This shop is a must-see! New this summer and undiscovered! And has the sweetest crochet and knit goodies for little princesses and babes! Cupcake Drawstring Purse by Annabelle Knits

I love the sprinkles and the button cherry on top of this cupcake -- it'll keep your iPhone, iPod or other gadgetry safe and sound. But beware and be warned! Using this will cause you to stop every 10 minutes for a cupcake fix! Cup Cakes Felt Pouch by Suezybees

Snowflake would be such a cutie in this!! (Snowflake is my Pug Granddog) I showed it to Noli and she agreed -- but I think she liked the bunny ears and the lion costume best. Go see! You know you want to dress up your pooch for Halloween!! Or his/her birthday..... Cupcake Costume for Pet by I Lick You

Hate to do dishes? (and who really likes to?!) But this cupcake apron will make it fun -- no, not for you, for your dishsoap bottle! Wash in style! You must check out this shop -- she has lots of cute things but the best would be (in my humble opinion) her toilet seat covers!!! I looked for a cupcake one but, alas, there were none :-( But there is one with lots of confectionery goodies on it! Just no cupcakes.... You gotta go see!Pink Cupcake Cherry on Top by Love Vanilla Rose

We all fancy ourselves great photographers -- especially if we have a shop on Etsy!! And I'll just bet that covering that plain old strap on your camera with this cupcake cutie will make you a professional!! And if not, well it'll give you some fun smiles while you're taking those pics! Not to mention, make your sweet tooth start talking to you.... Cupcakes Soft Minky/Fuzzy Camera Strap by Swanky Camera Couture

Talk about your sweet tooth speaking up -- I can just taste that rainbow right now! It just doesn't get any yummier looking than this! And the icing, oh the icing (I've got a real problem when it comes to icing :-) It's a good thing this is a print 'cause I'd really be in trouble... Unicorn Cake Fine Art Print by Stoopidgerl

And so, I leave you with this --

Cupcake time is all the time!! Don't you love it? Cupcake Clock by Angel Heart Designs

Have yourself a yummy good day today and be sure to eat at least one cupcake in honor of this very special holiday!!!!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Friday mornings are estate/garage sale times for me. It's rare anymore that my daughter can go with me but we did a bit this past Friday before she went to work. And she found this cutie and now Noli is running around saying "neigh-a-a-a-a" and being a horsie.

And the best part? It was only $2.00!! Including some other small toys that Noli picked out!

Back at home, Noli wanted to wash her new unicorn (form the same garage sale) and, of course, we can't leave out her ponies when it comes to bathtime...

She was at this for THREE hours!! I moved a couple things from off the counter and brought out the towels. She used up an entire (new) pump bottle of handsoap and gave me a great opportunity to clean the mirror!

Aren't we beautiful now, and oh so clean! And Miss Unicorn's horn is spectacular! And Miss Noli and the bathroom are spectacularly wet!

A clothes change later, we're eating yummy cherries. And Farmer Noli wanted to plant a couple so we'd have a cherry tree. So, changing into jeans and crocs (after all, these are outside, tree planting clothes) we head out back. It had rained earlier, so Farmer Noli had a grand time planting, and stomping in the water that was dripping off the patio roof.

Back inside, she had to take a bath herself -- got mad at me and splashed and now I had to change clothes.

Later on, she was a kitty fairy -- can you see the white "kitty tail" scarf? The blue scarf is a wonderful creation that can be butterfly wings or fairy wings and floats gracefully. And the sparkly pink shoes definitely add to the kitty fairyness of it all!

The tutu is actually a mouse costume that was my daughter's for a dance recital when she was four!!! Noli, however, has decided that it is a kitty... It's cute to see her wearing her mom's outfit...

Land Shark! (Isn't this the cutest!) Your little guy or gal can be a shark-in-training with this adorable towel wrapped around! And we all know that Land Sharks NEVER have to wear that certain button pin!!

Are the kids getting tired of Marco Polo or the blow-up floaty thingy? Bring out these cards and they will have a grand time playing fun new games (and learning something at the same time, but shhh, don't tell!!)